Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W.H. RITCHIE
- Type: Wooden steam barge
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not available
- Location: Port Arthur, Ontario
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden steam barge
Description
Description
The W.H. RITCHIE was a wooden steam barge constructed in 1880. Specific design features and tonnage data are not recorded in available sources, though her classification as a steam barge suggests a vessel built for durability and bulk cargo handling. Vessels of this type were integral to Great Lakes industry during this period.
History
History
Little is documented about her operational life, but vessels like the W.H. RITCHIE were typically employed in the movement of bulk commodities such as timber, coal, and construction materials between ports throughout the Great Lakes. She likely served in this capacity for over four decades. The absence of her name in collision or grounding records suggests a quiet service life typical of smaller cargo craft of the period, with modest tonnage and regional operation.
Significant Incidents
The W.H. RITCHIE was destroyed by fire while docked at Port Arthur, Ontario, on September 27, 1921. At the time of the incident, Port Arthur was an independent city on the northern shore of Lake Superior. In 1970, it amalgamated with the neighbouring city of Fort William to form the present-day city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Therefore, the location of the W.H. RITCHIE’s destruction corresponds to a dock within what is now Thunder Bay.
The exact dock where the fire occurred is not specified in the available records. However, given the vessel’s role as a bulk grain transport, it is plausible that the incident took place at one of the grain-handling facilities or docks associated with the grain trade in Port Arthur at the time.
Final Disposition
No confirmed location or wreckage discovery has been recorded for the W.H. RITCHIE. No navigational warnings or advisories have been issued concerning the W.H. RITCHIE.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The W.H. RITCHIE’s demise adds to the numerous maritime incidents that have occurred on the Great Lakes. While specific details about the vessel are limited, her story contributes to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history. Further research in regional archives and historical societies may uncover more information about this vessel.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-h-ritchie-1880″ title=”References & Links”]
Although the W.H. RITCHIE does not appear to have had a dramatic or newsworthy career, her long service life and the quiet circumstances of her destruction tell the story of the hundreds of lesser-known working vessels that supported Great Lakes commerce. Their disappearance, often undocumented, represents a significant but underreported element of maritime heritage.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: W.H. RITCHIE
- Former Names: None recorded
- Registration Number(s): Not available
- Date Built and Launched: 1880
- Measurements including Rebuilds: Not specified
- Date Lost, Destroyed, Abandoned: September 27, 1921
Vessel Type
Wooden steam barge
Description
The W.H. RITCHIE was a wooden steam barge constructed in 1880. Specific design features and tonnage data are not recorded in available sources, though her classification as a steam barge suggests a vessel built for durability and bulk cargo handling. Vessels of this type were integral to Great Lakes industry during this period.
History
Little is documented about her operational life, but vessels like the W.H. RITCHIE were typically employed in the movement of bulk commodities such as timber, coal, and construction materials between ports throughout the Great Lakes. She likely served in this capacity for over four decades. The absence of her name in collision or grounding records suggests a quiet service life typical of smaller cargo craft of the period, with modest tonnage and regional operation.
The W.H. RITCHIE was destroyed by fire while docked at Port Arthur, Ontario, on September 27, 1921. (Flybridge)
At the time of the incident, Port Arthur was an independent city on the northern shore of Lake Superior. In 1970, it amalgamated with the neighbouring city of Fort William to form the present-day city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Therefore, the location of the W.H. RITCHIE’s destruction corresponds to a dock within what is now Thunder Bay.
The exact dock where the fire occurred is not specified in the available records. However, given the vessel’s role as a bulk grain transport, it is plausible that the incident took place at one of the grain-handling facilities or docks associated with the grain trade in Port Arthur at the time.(Flybridge)
No confirmed location or wreckage discovery has been recorded for the W.H. RITCHIE.
No navigational warnings or advisories have been issued concerning the W.H. RITCHIE.
The W.H. RITCHIE’s demise adds to the numerous maritime incidents that have occurred on the Great Lakes. While specific details about the vessel are limited, her story contributes to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history. Further research in regional archives and historical societies may uncover more information about this vessel.
Keywords: W.H. RITCHIE, Great Lakes shipwreck, steam barge, maritime fire, 1921 ship fire
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Incidents, Wooden Steam Barges
Located By & Date Found
No confirmed location or wreckage discovery has been recorded for the W.H. RITCHIE.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No NOTMARs or Canadian Coast Guard advisories are currently associated with this wreck site.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: https://greatlakesrex.wordpress.com/r/
Conclusion
Although the W.H. RITCHIE does not appear to have had a dramatic or newsworthy career, her long service life and the quiet circumstances of her destruction tell the story of the hundreds of lesser-known working vessels that supported Great Lakes commerce. Their disappearance, often undocumented, represents a significant but underreported element of maritime heritage.
Suggested Keywords & Categories
Keywords: W.H. RITCHIE, Great Lakes shipwreck, steam barge, 1921 fire, wooden vessels
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Incidents, Steam Barges, 19th Century Vessels, Fire Incidents